Required prerequisite knowledge

Completed 60 ECTS in Intercultural Studies or similar (social sciences, humanities, journalism, social studies or teacher education).

Relevance within study programme

Elective course within the Intercultural Competence Bachelor program.

Learning outcomes descriptors

On completion of the course, the candidate should have achieved the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student:

• has knowledge about the significance of transnational religious communities, both locally and globally
• has knowledge about the significance of – and changes in – religious belonging and religious community in relation to migration processes and diaspora
• has knowledge about the challenges and possibilities related to religious pluralism and multicultural religious diversity
• has knowledge about the significance of religion in issues related to diversity, equality, and inclusion
• has knowledge about the connections between religion and politics in a transnational perspective
• has knowledge about the significance of religion in conflict and peacebuilding
• has knowledge regarding conflicts between religion and secularity

Skills

The student:

• can reflect on the significance of transnational religious community and belonging, both locally and globally
• can critically reflect on the politicization of religion and religion’s political salience
• can employ appropriate academic perspectives in the analysis of challenges and opportunities connected to transnational religion, religious pluralism, and multicultural religious diversity
• can employ appropriate academic perspectives in the analysis of challenges and opportunities connected to religion, conflict, and peacebuilding

General competence

The student:

• has insight into opportunities and challenges connected to religion and spirituality in a global, national, and local perspective
• can exchange viewpoints with others in this field and participate in discussions on the development of good practices connected to this field
• can present and discuss academic perspectives on this field of knowledge, both in writing and orally, in a reflective and culturally sensitive way
• has intercultural competence linked to religious dimensions of intercultural understanding and interactions

Content

In the media, religion is often associated with conflict, but for a majority of the world's population, religion is a natural part of daily life. Religion is linked to membership in certain communities, and is important on many levels, from individual and collective identity to national and global politics. Knowledge of religion is therefore increasingly necessary to understand diversity and manage important challenges locally, nationally, and globally.

The course IKF219E Religion, diversity, and transnational processes aims to enable students to understand the meaning of religion and deal with religious diversity in a multicultural and global world in an informed way. The course focuses on religion as a practice in both historical and contemporary contexts. Through empirical analysis of examples from many parts of the world, the course provides insight into the importance of transnational communities locally and globally, changes in religious affiliation and community, as well as challenges and opportunities related to religious diversity. The subject further addresses connections between religion and politics in a transnational perspective, and the importance of religion in conflict and peacebuilding. The growth of politicized religion challenges notions that the world is becoming increasingly secularised. The subject provides knowledge about interactions and conflicts between religion and ideas about the secular. Through the readings and various forms of work and assessment, the student's knowledge, critical reflection, intellectual empathy, and intercultural competence are developed in order to understand and contribute constructively in discussion with other people's perspectives and understandings of reality.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures and seminars.

Scope

Approximately 300 hours.

Coursework requirements

The following course requirements must be fulfilled for the student to have the right to take the exam:

• Mandatory attendance (at least 80%)
• Active participation in an oral group presentation
• An academic log of approximately 2000 word (+/- 15%), following given criteria

If the group work/oral presentation is not approved, the student will have one additional opportunity for an oral presentation in the same semester. If the academic log is not approved, the student will have one new submission opportunity in the same semester.

Grading, coursework requirements

Approved/ not approved

Final assessment

Oral exam of approximately 30 minutes with two days preparation time.

Grading, examination

The grading scale used is A to F. Grade A is the highest passing grade in the grading scale, grade F is a fail.

Permitted aids under examination

None

Assessment language

English

Course evaluation

A course evaluation will be carried out in line with NLA’s quality system.

Digital reading list

Follow this link for reading list and academic resources.